EAST LANSING, Mich. — The sun decided to make an appearance during the second game of the Michigan State-Minnesota doubleheader on Sunday, but it struggled to warm the Spartan bats as they lost the second game of an afternoon doubleheader against Minnesota, 6-2.

The Spartans were led by sophomore Kelcey Carrasco, who had two hits with an RBI and freshman Katie Quinlan who hit a pair of singles. Minnesota’s center fielder Dani Wagner hit a costly two-run homer in the top of the seventh, tacking on some insurance runs for the Gophers.

Kristina Zalewski took the losst for Michigan State, she is now 7-8 on the year. She allowed three earned runs on six hits through 3.1 innings of work, along with three strikeouts. Carlie Brandt of Minnesota gave up six and two earned runs through a solid five innings of work against the Spartans. She is now 5-2 on the season.

Bridgette Rainey was dominant out of the bullpen, but surrendered the two-run homer to Wagner. When she entered the game in the sixth inning, she issued an intentional walk, but eventually struck out the side. She finished her two innings with four strikeouts while giving up just the solo shot.

Head coach Jacquie Joseph had some words of encouragement after the loss.

“I’m super proud of the way we pitched today,” said Joseph. “Playing in these conditions is brutal at best, and to split the series with them was pretty good.

Before the game, senior Lea Forester was honored before the game, as the team is honoring six members of the Spartan softball class of 2018 throughout the home schedule this season.

“There’s no accolades that can do her justice as to how good of a player she is,” said Joseph. “She never makes excuses, ever. She’s just a dream to coach.”

The Spartans head to Ann Arbor on Wednesday at 3 p.m. EST to face the Wolverines. Hopefully the sun and warm weather decide to show out in Ann Arbor too.